The Swedish government has appointed new chairs for both Sweden’s second (AP2) and third (AP3) national pension funds, as well as other board members for both funds.

Niklas Johansson has been appointed as chair of AP2, replacing Ingrid Albinsson, who has been acting chair since 5 February and who will continue as vice chair of the board.

Johansson is an experienced board member with experience from several senior positions in the financial industry, including asset management in the Skandia Group. 

In addition to this, Alexander Ljungqvist was appointed as a new member of AP2’s Board of Directors. Ljungqvist is a professor of finance and entrepreneurship at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Ljungqvist replaces Hanse Ringströn, who has left AP2’s Board after eight years serving as a member.

The AP2 Board of Directors now consists of Johansson (chair), Albinsson (vice chair), Åsa Erba Stenhammar, Agneta Wallmark, Rikard Andersson, Mikael Bohman, Torbjörn Dalin, Catrina Ingelstam, and Ljungqvist.

Meanwhile, Magdalena Wahlqvist Alveskog has been appointed as chair of the board of AP3, replacing Christina Lindenius who has served as chair for nine years.

Alveskog joins from Handelsbanken Fonder, where she held the position of CEO and has extensive prior experience from Handelsbanken Asset Management’s investment operations.

In addition to the chair appointment, the Swedish government also appointed Peter Gerlach as an AP3 Board member. Gerlach is an economist at the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, specialising in macroeconomic assessments and has a background as head of planning at the Ministry of Finance.

Gerlach has been appointed as a board member to represent employee interests in accordance with the AP Funds Act. He replaces board member Torbjörn Hållö, who, like Lindenius, has reached the end of his term.

Commenting on her departure, Lindenius said: “I would like to thank CEO, Staffan Hansén, and AP3’s staff for nine years of excellent cooperation.

“The past years have been very eventful, particularly the last one, which has seen both the consolidation of the AP Funds and a major shift in system infrastructure, whilst the fund has continued to deliver good returns to the pension system.

“I am very proud of the fund’s strong position today and am handing over the chairmanship of the board to Magdalena Wahlqvist Alveskog with a warm heart.” 

Alveskog added: “I am very pleased and honoured by this appointment. The AP Funds play a vital role as a buffer and stabiliser within the pension system and as an investor and long-term owner in the capital markets. AP3 has a very strong track record as a manager of the Swedish people’s pension capital, and I look forward to contributing to this important mission.”

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